Improvement in removable charge-chambers for explosive shells



F. ALGER Shell-Fuse.

"gy 39 267 EPatented July 21,1863,

null-mi Ficl.

MPEIERS. PHOTO-LITHOGRAPHER. WASHINGTON. n t

' UNITED STATES FRANCIS ALGER, OF BO PATENT OFFICE.

STON, MASSACHUSETTS.

IMPROVEMENT IN REMOVABLE CHARGE-CHAMBERS FOR EXPLOSIVE SHELLS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 39.267, dated July 21, 15(53.

to the accompanying drawings.

The invention is more particularly intended for the Shrapnel or case shot of rifled cannon, but is also applicable to spherical easeshot, and to other projectiles.

It consists in a water-proof tube or pouch attached to the fuse, in which tube suflicient powder is contained to burst the projectile, and which, after having been filled and attached to thefuse, is inserted into the shell through its fuse-hole.

The usefulness of the invention consists in this, that the bursting-charge may at any time be removed from the projectile by simply withdrawing the fuse with its attached pouch, and may be replaced again with equal facility.

In the accompanying drawings, A, Figure 1, represents the pouch or tube for containing the powder. This I make of india-rubber cloth, of leather, or of other suitable material,

care being taken not to bring a surface ofindiarubber into direct contact with gunpowder.

Fig. 2 represents a fuse (in this case the Schenkl combination fuse) prepared for the attachment of the tube A, for which. purpose a groove, 0, has been turned on it. By means of this groove the pouch A, after having been filled, is made fast to the fuse, as shown in for insertion into the shell.

I am aware that tubes or pouches of metal for containing the bursting-charges of Shrapnel and of incendiary shells have been known and employed, and that such tubes have been attached permanently to the fuse, and I do not claim the general use of such; but

Vhat I claim is as follows:

The use of a tube or pouch of india-rubber cloth, or of other flexible material, containing gunpowder and attached to a fuse, so as to form, together with the fuse, one apparatus, which may be inserted into or removed from a projectile at a single operation.

FRANCIS ALGER.

Vitnesses:

B. I). CRAIG, AV. V. J ACKSOX.

Fig. 3. The fuse and pouch are then ready 

